WHCOA: LeadingAge Summary

I wrote about the White House Conference on Aging last October, noting that it was a “once-a-decade” national conference about the needs of our aging population.” (McKnight’s LTC News, October 2014) Below, LeadingAge summarizes the 2015 White House Conference on Aging, which took place on Monday: 10 Things that Happened at the White House Conference on … Read more

Dialysis: Gauging its need, and how to reduce its stress

Here’s my latest article on McKnight’s Long-Term Care News: Dialysis: Gauging its need, and how to reduce its stress As a psychologist observing the effects of medical interventions on the mental health of the long-term care resident, I often ask, “Is this aggressive procedure helping?” Such a well-intended question can prompt the team to reconsider … Read more

Transitioning to Long-Term Care: What Your Loved One Wishes They Could Tell You

My second post at Care Conversations.org focuses on easing the transition to long-term care for families. Transitioning to Long-Term Care: What Your Loved One Wishes They Could Tell You As a psychologist, I’ve talked with hundreds of residents as they transition to living in a Skilled Nursing Care center. In the privacy of a psychotherapy … Read more

5 Steps to Becoming a Part of the Nursing Home Team

I’m excited to let you know about my recent post for family members at Care Conversations.org.  Readers who are long-term care staff members will find it a helpful resource to share with family members. 5 Steps to Becoming a Part of the Nursing Home Team Moving to an assisted living or a skilled nursing facility can be … Read more

Care model for more than just medical condition needed in long-term care (McKnight’s LTC News)

Here’s my latest article on McKnight’s Long-Term Care News: Care model for more than just medical condition needed in long-term care Of the most efficient countries for healthcare, the United States ranks second in healthcare costs per capita but 46th in efficiency (out of the 48 countries ranked!). The move from a biomedical to a … Read more

Navigating the Caregiver’s Journey: LTC Offers a Valuable Viewpoint — Guest Blog by Author Deborah Shouse

Navigating the Caregiver’s Journey: Long Term Care Offers a Valuable Viewpoint When my parents relocated from Memphis to Kansas City to be closer to me, they packed decades worth of clothes, souvenirs, books, and furniture. The process of helping them move overwhelmed me and I fervently wished they’d had fewer possessions. But three years later, … Read more

Long-term care psychologists often can help prevent rehospitalizations (McKnight’s guest post)

Here’s my latest guest post on McKnight’s Long-Term Care News: Long-term care psychologists often can help prevent rehospitalizations Long-term care psychologists are a valuable resource for facilities looking to reduce their hospital readmission rates. As the only team member whose role it is to sit and talk with the residents for an extended period of time … Read more

Signs of Dying in Elderly

I hadn’t been on the North wing of the nursing home in a while, and when I saw Juanita Johnson sleeping in a geri-recliner,  I turned to the nurse, aghast.  “I barely recognized her!  She’s lost so much weight!”   “I know.  It’s terrible,” the nurse replied.  “We’re having her evaluated by hospice today.” Ms. … Read more

Room Changes in the Nursing Home: A Customer Service Opportunity

“What the f***!”  Ms. Webster was red in the face, shouting at the nurse who’d just arrived for the evening shift.  “The day nurse told me I was moving to the third floor — now you tell me I’m not?  You people better get your s*** together!”  She began hurling onto the bed the belongings … Read more